Fundamentals Academy Session 2: Advocacy 101

Much of our time is spent fine-tuning effective grantmaking and investment practices, but how many of us look at the policies that create a need for grantmaking? This session explores a powerful tool that is available to you and your grantees/investees: advocacy. While funding can address impacts that have already occurred, changes in public policy yield a new environment that creates opportunity and prevents disproportionate outcomes in people’s lives. Simply put, advocacy leverages the impact of available funds so you can stretch your grant dollars and see more far-reaching results.

Join us to learn how advocacy can amplify the work you do, as well as how to navigate legal, strategic, and governance considerations. We will also review the Do’s and Don’ts of advocacy, debunking common misconceptions.

Target Audience

This program is designed for members of Catalyst. If you are interested in Catalyst membership, please contact [email protected].

Catalyst is committed to making our events accessible to everyone. Please let us know how we can help you fully participate by contacting [email protected]. 

Fundamentals Academy

Fundamentals Academy is the 101 of philanthropy you wished you had when you started your job. In this four-session learning journey, you will gain in-depth knowledge of essential philanthropic practices, understand the lay of the land of our region’s funding organizations and grow your own professional network within the field.   

Fundamentals Academy is a great fit for those who are new to the field of philanthropy and want to gain a solid foundation to build their work, or anyone seeking to expand their knowledge of the world of philanthropy. Paced to fit the demands of your daily life easily, there will be one session a month from February to May, culminating with a certificate of completion.

Note: This year, Catalyst will be offering our Fundamentals Academy as a certificate program. Participants that join all four sessions will receive a certificate of completion.

Don’t miss out on the full series, register for our other Fundamentals Academy events here:

• Session 1: Trust-Based Philanthropy
• Session Three: Understanding Nonprofit Financial Health

Speakers

Rhiannon McAfee | Consultant, Public Policy | Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties

Rhiannon McAfee has over 20 years of experience in public policy and advocacy, including with Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest and its associated Action Fund; as the regional field director for the successful No on Propositions 73, 85, and 4 campaigns; as the statewide campaign manager and spokesperson for No on 2: Alaskans Against Government Mandates; identifying, cultivating, and supporting state and national efforts to move the progressive agenda forward through the citizens’ initiative process with the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center (BISC) in Washington DC; and bringing local groups together to increase voter participation with Engage San Diego. McAfee now assists local non-profits with their public policy and advocacy strategy and manages their policy portfolios, campaigns, and plans. An alumni of the first graduating fellows class of the San Diego Leadership Alliance, a graduate of Wellstone’s Advanced Campaign Management School, and one of San Diego Metro Magazine’s 40 Under 40 in 2012, McAfee has lived in San Diego for over 30 years and is a proud resident of San Diego City Council District 9 with her husband, son, and rescue dog.